Introduction
We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of people working in social work, social care and children and young people services.
We listen to what workers have to say about their wellbeing and support them to have honest conversations about this and the wellbeing of their colleagues. We develop and promote resources and activities which help you look after your own wellbeing and that of others.
Have Your Say Workforce Wellbeing Survey
We commission an independent research company to run the Have Your Say Workforce Wellbeing Survey each year. We want to hear what you think on the issues that matter most to you.
The survey usually opens in January and is repeated each year to build a picture of experiences of working in social services over time. This helps us to understand what is improving, getting worse or what needs to change.
Anyone working in social work, social care and children and young people services is encouraged to take part. You do not need to be registered with us.
We share the survey report with decision makers in Scottish Government, local authorities, integrated joint boards, unions and representative bodies because we believe that your experiences deserve to shape policy.
We also use what you tell us to influence the Fair Work agenda, especially around effective voice, because being heard is the first step to being valued.
You can read our Have Your Say report on 2026 findings on our data website(Opens new window).
Our Have Your Say – report on 2025 findings is also available on our data website(Opens new window).
National Wellbeing Hub
We are a partner in the National Wellbeing Hub(Opens new window) which offers a range of resources and support including:
- wellbeing and mental health podcasts and webinars
- resources to support people to look after themselves and each other, for example: sleep, diet, physical activity, social interaction, psychological first aid, grief and bereavement
There is also a National Wellbeing Helpline 0800 111 4191, which is open 24 hours a day.
Wellbeing and leadership
Effective leadership can play an essential part in supporting your own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others. You can use our leadership resources to support the wellbeing of others and to help you reflect on your own self-leadership(Opens new window) and how you can keep yourself and others safe.
Trauma informed practice
Working in different environments in times of complexity, challenge or crisis and increased pressures can impact on people, their relationships at work, and their wellbeing. Sometimes people will experience trauma.
Scotland has developed an approach to working in a trauma informed way. Our role is to raise awareness of this approach and support the use of trauma learning resources and activity in social services. Sometimes this will be to support workforce wellbeing.
NHS Education for Scotland has developed a set of resources(Opens new window) to promote and implement trauma informed practice. We work closely with them to promote the use of these resources in social services.
Coaching for social workers
Free confidential coaching is available to social workers and social work students through the British Association of Social Worker Peer Coaching Service(Opens new window).